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Friday, July 22, 2016

Book Review: Life on the Edge by JohnJoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili

The world is very large, but also very small. Authors
McFadden and Al-Khalili take a look at quantum physics to see how things on an
atomic and subatomic level can have a surprising effect on basic biology. As
they state, “All this diversity in living matter, with its multitudinous forms
and endless variety of functions, is made up from pretty much the same atoms.” The book draws interesting connections between
such esoteric topic such as particle duality and how it can be involved in
ordinary chemical reaction. From there it’s on to biology and such far ranging
topics as bird migration, biology’s connection to thermodynamics, and quantum
mechanics role in the action of a certain enzymes.

The connection between quantum mechanics and genetics
is fascinating. Our very genetic code is written in quantum particles. “Quantum
genes encode the classical structure of every microbe, plant and animal that
has ever lived.” Life on earth would never have evolved without a little tiny
push on the subatomic level.

By no means is this book is light reading. While well-written,
a person definitely needs, at the very least, a basic understanding of physics and
biology. I would recommend it as a good companion volume for any college
student majoring in those subjects. As for the science laymen, if phrases such
as quantum mechanics, chromosomes, DNA, or Schrodinger’s cat don’t leave you all
tingly pass this book by. It’s not for you.